The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that video telehealth appointments to Veterans’ homes increased over 1000%, as Veterans increasingly chose virtual care through VA Video Connect during the COVID-19 pandemic. In middle Georgia, the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center (CVVAMC) conducted more than 3,200 telehealth appointments between January 2020 – June 2020.

VA Video Connect allows Veterans and their caregivers to meet virtually with their VA care teams on any computer, tablet, or mobile device with an internet connection. As in-person interactions decreased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, VA Video Connect supported Veterans’ abilities to continue care and remain safely at home. Usage of video to home services has been increasing since mid-March with peak usage reaching over 29,000 appointments per day.

The increase at CVVAMC represents a 106 percent increase from Jan. 2020 – June 2020. Other telehealth milestones from the CVVAMC include: 

• 16.67% of veterans enrolled at Carl Vinson VAMC have received Telehealth services since October 1, 2019

• 1.58% of enrolled veterans have been enrolled in Carl Vinson VAMC Remote monitoring (Home Telehealth) program since October 1, 2019

• 3.85% of enrolled veterans have has a VA Video Connect visit since October 1, 2019

VA is also taking strides to bridge the digital divide for Veterans who lack the technology or broadband internet connectivity required to participate in VA telehealth services. At the national level, VA is working with strategic partners, through the VA Secretary’s Center of Strategic Partnerships, to increase access to the technology that Veterans need to connect with their VA health care team virtually. 

“As we near the three-year anniversary of the launch of VA Video Connect, even during these challenging times, VA has and continues to maintain access to high-quality health care for Veterans,” said David L. Whitmer, Medical Center Director. “As the service becomes more popular, VA remains committed to providing a seamless user experience to ensure Veterans have access to care where and when they need it.  Virtual care modalities will expand at the Carl Vinson VA after COVID-19 as we’ve proven is an excellent way to deliver healthcare in a highly rural area.”

Read more about VA Video Connect. For information about VA’s telehealth services visit connectedcare.va.gov.